Midwifery News and Research - August 2024

August 2024

MIDWIFERY AND MATERNAL HEALTH IN THE NEWS Advocates Hope New Illinois Law Helps Lower Maternal Mortality Rate for Black Women Black women have the highest maternal mortality rate in the U.S.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are two-and-a-half times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women.  A new state law aims to remedy that by expanding insurance coverage during and after pregnancy.  Southern Alabama birthing unit closing, health experts warn of obstetric care loss As birthing units close across Alabama, health experts are warning the move may cost newborns and pregnant people essential access to obstetric care. “When a hospital in the rural area closes down, especially for obstetrical purposes, there's a lack of resources for the women who are pregnant,” said Noel Leithart, a retired certified professional midwife in Alabama. Maternal health bill passed on Beacon Hill could change the game ‘for generations Friedman emphasized this legislation will enable more options for pregnant people — not just with birth centers and midwives, but also building on a pilot for postpartum home visits and covering doula services under MassHealth. Birth Centers Offer Potential to Transform Maternity Care Through Community-Led Approaches that Focus on Families of Color The midwifery care model has been shown to help reduce adverse birth outcomes such as preterm births, low-birthweight, cesarean sections, and NICU admissions. Approximately 20,000 births occur in birth centers, less than 0.5% of all U.S. births. Kilmer, Ciscomani Introduce Legislation to Expand Midwifery Care Coverage for U.S. Service members and Their Families “NACPM is excited about the introduction of the MIDWIVES for Servicemembers Act, marking a pivotal step toward broadening access to credentialed midwifery care for military families,” said National Association of Certified Professional Midwives Executive Director Cassaundra Jah, MSM, LM. “This legislation is vital in guaranteeing that all service members and their families receive the highest quality maternal care, no matter where they are stationed. By supporting this bill, we are one step closer to addressing disparities and improving maternal outcomes in the United States.” Governor Healey Signs Maternal Health Bill, Expanding Access to Midwifery, Birth Centers and Doulas in Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options. This comprehensive legislation will overhaul maternal health practices in Massachusetts and expand coverage for midwifery, birth centers, doulas and screening and treatment for postpartum depression, among several other initiatives to save lives.     More women opt for home births despite high costs The vast majority of children in the United States are born in a hospital, but the number of planned home births has gone up significantly in the past few years. At the root of this growing trend is the desire for pregnant women to have their voices heard, but that does not mean home births are accessible to everyone. Exploring alternative birthing options in Humboldt County Since 2021, Humboldt County has lost 2 of its 3 hospitals with labor and delivery services.  As a result, many expecting moms are looking to travel to give birth or are seeking alternative options.  “We are licensed midwives, which is governed by the California medical board. and we are able to practice autonomously and be able to provide standard of care, basic normal practice for, for prenatal and postpartum and birth services. The hallmark of midwifery is informed consent that we just offer all of the research, all the evidence, based on all the standard practices, and we explain them,” says Laura Doyle, Co-Owner of Moonstone Midwives.. RECENT RESEARCH Sudden Shift to Telehealth in COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Disparities in Use of Telehealth for Prenatal Care in a Large Midwifery Service The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created disruption in health care delivery, including a sudden transition to telehealth use in mid-March 2020. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the mode of prenatal care visits and predictors of telehealth use (provider-patient messaging, telephone visits, and video visits) during the COVID-19 pandemic among those receiving care in a large, academic nurse-midwifery service. Navigating weight, risk and lifestyle conversations in maternity care: a qualitative study among pregnant women with obesity Pregnant women with obesity face heightened focus on weight during pregnancy due to greater risk of medical complications. Closer follow-up in maternety care may contribute to reduce risk and promote health in these women. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper insight in how pregnant women with obesity experience encounters with healthcare providers in maternity care. How is the received maternity care affected by their weight, and how do they describe the way healthcare providers express attitudes towards obesity in pregnancy? Intersectionality in Black Maternal Health Experiences: Implications for Intersectional Maternal Mental Health Research, Policy, and Practice Black women experience significant maternal mortality and morbidity disparities in the United States. Although emerging research has focused on reducing maternal mortality rates among Black birthing individuals, we must explore structural and social factors contributing to mental health outcomes during the perinatal period. Gaps exist where intersectional identities and experiences in maternal and child health are examined. This study explores the intersectional stress experiences of Black perinatal women in the South. The impact of antenatal cluster management on maternal delivery and postpartum rehabilitation Pregnancy care can improve maternal pregnancy outcomes. Cluster nursing, an evidence-based, patient-centered model, enhances pregnancy care, can provide patients with high-quality nursing services, has been widely used in clinical practice in recent years. However, most previous studies evaluated cluster nursing program only for a single clinical scenario. In this study, we developed and implemented a antenatal cluster care program for various prenatal issues faced by puerpera to analyze its application effect. © 2024 NACPM 8120 RESEARCH BLVD STE 105 PMB 140 AUSTIN, TX 78758 If you do not wish to receive further communication like this, unsubscribe here.

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